We carried out a review of the data available to us about Helping Hands Weston Super Mare on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Helping Hands Weston Super Mare, you can give feedback on this service.
Helping Hands is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 45 people using the service. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe because there were systems in place to protect them from abuse and staff received training to know how to identify and report concerns. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s care needs and safe recruitment processes in place. People were supported safely with their medicines. We did receive some mixed feedback about consistency of staff and whether people knew in advance who was supporting them.
Staff were trained and supported in their roles and told us they felt valued and listened to. Staff worked with other health and social care professionals when required to ensure people’s needs were met.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were kind and caring and built positive relationships with people they supported. People’s independence was encouraged, and they were treated with dignity and respect.
People received person centred care which recognised them as individuals with their own unique needs. Care was reviewed regularly to ensure it remained up to date. People received information about how to make a formal complaint and there were procedures in place to manage these.
The service was well led. There was a registered manager in place supported by a care coordinator. Communication with staff was good. Staff told us they were able to get hold of senior staff when needed. People’s views were sought and taken into consideration in the running of the service. There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 8 August 2018).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staff training, skills and support and care of people living with dementia. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
This was the services first inspection since the registration of the service in May 2017.
Helping hands is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to older adults.
Not everyone using Helping hands receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection there were 65 people receiving personal care from the agency. This was in the Weston Super mare and surrounding area.
The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were supported by staff who were trained competent and had received training to provide care and support to people. Staff felt supported and received supervision and an annual appraisal.
People were supported to receive their medicines safely and when required. People’s care plans contained support plans and important information relating to people’s like, dislikes and routines.
People were supported by staff who could demonstrate the correct use of personal protective equipment to prevent cross infection.
People were supported by staff who had suitable checks in place prior to being employed by the service. Staff were able to demonstrate a good understanding of abuse and who to go to should they have concerns.
People were supported by regular staff who knew them well. Staff were kind and caring and offered people choices. People received support by health care professionals when required.
The principles of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 were being followed.
People received support from staff as required with their food and drinks.
People and relatives felt able to raise concerns with the registered manager and all felt they were accessible.
Staff were recognised for their individual contribution to the service and support they provided people with.
The service had a quality assurance systems in place that identified shortfalls. The registered manager also undertook regular checks and worked from their monthly action plan to ensure actions were met.
People had their views sought so that feedback could improve the care provided.